This photo was found online from Good Housekeeping November 1954
Pretty typical 1950's dining room, formal table and chairs, hutch and buffet and probably somewhere unseen in this photo is a small wet bar for making drinks.
Many families ate dinner in their dining room while others reserved this space for more formal affairs such as company and dinner parties. The hutch could be moved off of the buffet for buffet style affairs, dinner parties, luncheons and the like were very popular and part of etiquette, if someone had you over for dinner it was your social responsibility to reciprocate in a timely manner.
When company was over the best china came out along with the polished silver, crystal drinkware and fine linens. Many housewives reveled in coming up with the best themes, dishes and table decoration. At dinner parties the seating was carefully arranged, husbands and wives did not sit next to eachother, they were put next to people carefully chosen as to create new conversations.
There were all kinds of different get togethers, buffets, luncheons, dinner parties, midnight dinner parties etc. Entertaining was definitely an important part of life!
How do we incorporate the dining room values into todays life?
First find a like minded bunch of people, my husband and I find this quite difficult as people our age , even those with children, would rather be out at the club or living it up somewhere. Luckily there is no rule saying we must befriend only those our own age so we usually get together with people a good 10-15 years our senior.
Buy beautiful plates, silverware and glasswear, shop thrift stores for unusual pieces. Use table cloths and cloth napkins, it will save your furniture and the enviornment and dinner feels special. Don't just use them for company, use them for your own family dinners as well.
Host a dinner party, don't be intimidated, start by inviting just one other couple, good friends even. Make a simple menu, nothing you haven't made before and most importantly don't take yourself too serious, it is not the end of the world if your souffle falls....better yet, don't attempt souffle!
Find some functional pieces for your room. A buffet is a wonderful fine, mine is still in Illinois and I miss it terribly!! Not only can you put your serving dishes on top after everyone has been served but it also has draws and doors to keep all of your dining room linens and china!
If someone invites you to their dinner party do bring a hostess gift, if you know the hostess well bring her something that you know she will make use of, for example, if she loves to cook perhaps a parsley plant in a nice pot would be in order? Also always write a thank you note and make sure to mention one part of the evening in detail that you enjoyed. Make sure to invite the hostess and her husband over for dinner in the near future.
What tips have you ladies got?
7 comments:
I agree that it is hard sometimes to find people in your age group. We are blessed to have a couple that likes to come over and eat. Many times the older people are more open to entertaining and really need it. I scour the thrift stores for neat serving dishes and placemats. I try never to serve anything in it storebought container. It is fun to create a pretty table.It isn't perfection you are striving for but creating a nice enviroment. I love to use candles too. If in doubt study food magazines and how they plate and present the food. Grilled Chicken breast can look extra special served on a plate with sliced limes. Have fun!!! Think outside the box.
Blessings,
Julie
I agree with Julie about putting everything in a serving dish; it's such an easy way to dress up dinner on daily basis and make it more of an event than just a meal. Great ways to get tableclothes is diggin through fabric on sale! No sewing is really required; if you're good prehaps a hem with embelishment. I also find that Ebay is a fun place to find vintage and retro books, housewares, decor, aprons, etc. And usually at a great price! It is just my husband and I, but dinner is always a homemade, sit down affair! Start those homey habits early. ;) Being a military family, I also always find that inviting single guys over for a good home cooked meal, especially Sunday dinner is a fun way to entertain! They are so gratefull.
I too agree about finding people in our own age group. Some of our friends are 25 years our senior. But good company doesn't care about age. For some nice serve wear places like Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx are always good but you might not always find vintage pieces.
I love your series. You are doing a fantastic job!
JA , I used to love inviting the single guys, it is also fun to make them a tray with left overs to heat up in their room later! When the platoon was working late I would make a HUGE dinner and bring it to them, didn't do it too often because it was expensive!
Morgan,
Thanks so much! I do love TJ Maxx but I try to buy 2nd hand because it is more ecofriendly...but really hard sometimes when I see things in regular stores!
Ohh this is so funny because we just invited all the single guys and the pastor and his wife over for a barbecue and we had a blast!! Her and I went off and did girly things and let the guys just talk guy things. They need fellowship too!! Our husband really enjoyed that time. To be honest, guys sometimes just need a break from our "womanly ways" and that is ok because sometimes we need girl time.
I do think we worry to much about what we have when we invite company over. We can make it simple and frugal , presented in a beautiful way is a success. I find when I spend extra time on presentation even simple frugal food shines!!
sorry to ramble on but this post really speaks to our hearts of hospitality.. I will be quiet now lolol
Blessings,
Julie
Loved the picture. Like I said, this series really brings back memories. Sad to say, it has been a long time since I have had people over for dinner. Your picture inspires me!
i love this series and this post!!!! i agree that we shouldn't just use the "good" linens, dishes, or menus for when we have company, but should ensure that we are making things special for our own families regularly also. and i totally agree that frugal and simple is best, let it be more about the fellowship and less about a big to do, you're much more likely to entertain regularly that way, if you don't feel the pressure to have a perfectly clean home, extravagant meal, etc.
shannon
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